Category Archives: Mental Health

An important study appeared in JAMA Psychiatry in June 2016, providing additional evidence that high blood levels of vitamin B can slow the shrinking of the brain that commonly occurs after age 60. Previous studies have shown that vitamin B12 and other B vitamins, (folic acid and vitamin B6) can slow the rate of brain…

The endocannabinoid system, discovered in the early 1990s modulates various functions in the body. Cells in the system that house receptors, including CB1 andCB2 are “activated” by chemicals known as cannabinoids. There are more than 80 different cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa L (marijuana and hemp) The two most well-known of these chemicals are DBD and…

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are approximately 300,000 cases of Lyme disease, with 30,000 new cases each year. These statistics are likely conservative, as many physicians have not tested for Lyme in the past. Lyme borreliosis has a worldwide distribution and is the most common vector-borne disease in the US. CDC has…

As far back as the late nineteenth century, the health science establishment began looking into GABA as a metabolic product deprived from plants and microbes. In the 1950s GABA breaks onto the health science stage, identified as an integral part of nervous system activity, mainly as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. GABA activity is now being…

In modern society, we are constantly exposed to heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury. These heavy metals have no essential biochemical roles in our body, and conversely, can cause us a great deal of harm if they build up to toxic levels. They bind to our tissues, create damaging free radicals, disrupt our…

The Zika outbreak continues to spread across the U.S. An outbreak began in Brazil, in April, 22015 resulting in the recent pandemic. It is spread primarily by infected mosquitoes, but can also be spread through sexual activity, blood transfusion from mothers to fetus. People who are infected have few, if any symptoms of infection. …

“Growing pains” have long been presumed to be the result of a child having a growing spurt, although no one really knows for sure. An estimated 25 to 40 pecent of pre-school and school age children experience them. They are usually felt as throbbing or aching pains in the legs at night or in the…

An important study appeared in JAMA Psychiatry in June 2016, providing additional evidence that high blood levels of Vitamin B12 can slow the shrinking of the brain that commonly occurs after age 60. Previous studies have shown that vitamin B12 and other B vitamins can slow the rate of brain atrophy in older subjects with…

Many people with chronic Lyme disease battle cognitive dysfunction that creates debilitating symptoms, such as difficulties with focus, concentration, word finding, decision-making, reasoning, and analysis, as well as short-term memory loss. The dysfunction occurs for many reasons, such as the presence of Lyme neurotoxins in the brain, which cause inflammation; the destruction of neurons and…

Drugs to combat anxiety can be addictive, and can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Research shows that benzodiazepines (drugs like Valium and Atavan) work on the same neurological pathways as heroin. A number of studies have demonstrated that the drugs increased the risk for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Two studies have appeared in the…